Dominican Friars
Province of St. Albert the Great, USA

Know Before You Go

The Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Know Before You Go

Join Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP as he breaks open the readings for the Know Before You Go video for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

The video is approximately 6 minutes and 31 seconds long and powerfully connects ancient biblical themes of prophetic courage with contemporary challenges. The informal garage setting and family context make the message very relatable while addressing serious themes about standing up for justice, trusting God when facing consequences, and the call for all Christians to be prophetic voices in today's world. Karen's story provides a concrete example of what prophetic action looks like in professional healthcare settings.

Chapter Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction & Setting
Welcome to Know Before You Go for 20th Sunday in ordinary time
Father Scott from his mother's garage (90th birthday celebration)
Introduces sister Karen, ER doctor from Tennessee

0:49 - Reading from Hebrews
"Great cloud of witnesses" refers to prophets who died without seeing God's promise
Challenge: "You haven't shed blood yet - get to work being prophetic"

1:54 - Gospel: Jesus Lighting Fires
Jesus: "I didn't come to smooth things over, I came to light a fire"
The world needs fires lit because "the world ain't right"

2:26 - Jeremiah's Story
Prophet Jeremiah confronted king about injustice toward widows/orphans
Princes threw him in dry well to die; Ebed-Melech courageously rescued him
Two witnesses: Jeremiah (wouldn't be silenced) and Ebed-Melech (risked everything)

4:14 - Karen's Modern Prophetic Story
Karen stood up for patients when hospital practices weren't right
Was professionally "thrown down the well" - fired for speaking truth
Refused to retire, found new hospital that embraced her mission

5:30 - Lesson on Prophetic Action
Give your best shot, then trust God completely
Don't cave to threats of consequences
God brought Karen to better situation where she can do what she loves

6:13 - Call to Action
God needs prophets and bold actions today
Don't cower in corner - light fires, speak up
Even if you get "thrown down the well" for doing what's right

Dominican recording video

Know Before You Go is a ministry of the provincial office to help people prepare to hear the readings and preaching of the approaching Sunday's Mass. We welcome any feedback you have at know@opcentral.org . You can see them all below, or you can see other preaching by a particular person by clicking on his name.

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    (Photo of Second Temple in Jerusalem By Ariely - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4533576)
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